Air mail exchange device



C. C. PURSLEY AIR MAIL EXCHANGE DEVICE May 12, 1931.

Filed July '21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR y 1931. c. c. PURSLEY 1,805,258

AIR MAIL EXCHANGE DEVICE Filed July 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a if INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 12, 1931 UNITED STATE S PATENT OFFICE CORNELIOUS G. BURSLEY, OIE I-IILLSBOEO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF TO DOUGLAS W. COOPER, 0F HILLSIBOBO, TEXAS AIR MAIL EXCHANGE DEVICE Application filed m 21,

tion is to provide a device of this nature which will enable an aeroplane to drop one i bag of mail and pick up another bag of mail without stopping.

Another object of the invention in this connection is to provide a device of this nature which is automatic in operation, of few parts, and practical and durable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to enable the device to be installed and operable from a tower orhigh building and thereby eliminating the necessity of the pilot of the aeroplane from descending to a low altitude. With the above and other minor objects in .view, the invention will be'tully understood rom a perusal of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, and wherein:

Figure 1 represents a. top plan view of av platform located upon a building or'tower and upon which the mail is dropped and picked up and embodying the invention.

Figure 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view of Figure 1, the view being partly broken away and showing a bag of mail in, the operation of being dropped'and picked up by an aeroplane.

Figure 3 is a detail view in side elevation of a mail bag release and pick-up member disposed on a cable.

Figure 4, is a cross-sectional view of the member shown in Figure 3, the view being taken along the line 4: 4; of said figure.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed View partly in cross-section of the same member as shown in Figure 4, but illustrating the member in set or open position and the means for holding it in said position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed view in sideelevation, of a portion of the member shown in Figure 3, showing the manner of engaging the parts to prevent entanglement of the cable.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, enlarged, taken along the line 77 of Figure 3; and

. Figure 8 is a side elevational view in detail of one of the mail bag releasing members.

1930. Serial No. 469,404.

Referring more in detail to the drawings and wherein the various parts thereof will be designated numerically, 1 denotes a platform on the top of a building or tower provided with a sand or other suitable covering to deaden the fall of the mail bag and in eluding a pipe rail 2. At a convenient distance above the pipe rail are disposed aprons 3 which are spaced apart to provide a longitudinal opening 4. The aprons are formed diagonally at both ends and at these points there are disposed flanges 5 providing a V shaped end for the aprons for the purpose of guiding the cable carrying the mailbag into the opening 4:. The approach may be thus made from either end of the platform by the aeroplane.

The opening 4; converges at the point 6, forming a reduction of the width of the opening 4 and at this point there are provided on opposite edges of the aprons two Lip-standing lugs 7. The purpose of these lugs will be explainedhereinafter. On the aprons are also disposed a means for suspending and releasing a mail bag which consists of a forked member 8, pivoted at 9 to the apron, a small bar 10, also pivoted at 11 to the apron, the member 8 and bar being loosely connected by a link 12. Adjacent one prong of the forked member 8 is an opening 13. This arrangement, provided on each of the aprons, enables a mail bag l t to be held suspended in position ready for release when the aeroplanearrives.

Referring to Figures 3 to 71, inclusive, in Figure 3 there, is illustrated a member consisting ofthe two halves 1.5 a d 16, held together by a pin 17 and normally closed by a spring 18. These members are, formed with lugs 20 for interlocking one member with the other and also includes spaced and curved arms 21. A cord 22 is connected to. a ring 23, the ring being inserted, through the opening 13 and placed on the prong of, the formed member 8. Another cord 24:. see Figure 2, is also connected to the ring and also to a mail bag 14, the latter being suspended in readiness for release. A ring 2.3, loosely em racing the upper part of the mem er n 16 seats. underneath the arms 21 when the letter are open and serves, when these members are closed, to hold them together, the ring falling down to the lower end of the members.

In connection with the foregoing, there is also provided a member consisting of a shank 25, a slotted end 26, adjacent to which is pivoted a hook 27 and a spring 28. A washer 29 serves to compress the spring when the member consisting of the parts 15 and 16 descends thereupon. The shank 25 is connected to a cable 30 suspended from an aeroplane.

In the operation of the device and as illustrated in Figure 2 to better advantage, when the aeroplane approaches the platform the cable is suspended carrying the mail bag 14. and the bag moves toward the V shaped end of the aprons, but in a position between the platform and the aprons, so that the cable may if necessary abut the guide flanges 5 and direct the cable into the opening 4. The cable is thus guided into this opening and is moved inwardly until it strikes the converged portions at 6 and there moves against the member consisting of the parts 15 and 16. This shoves the arms 21 oil the lugs 7 and the cable is then embraced by these arms momentarily, the ring 23 falling downwardly and holding them tightly together. The members 15 and 16 in descending strike the Washer 29 and throw the hook 27 from the slot at 26 and the ring 23 is released, allowing the mailbag, as shown in broken lines in Fig ure 2, to fall upon the platform. The cable, continuing along the opening in the two aprons then strikes the small bar 10, and through the link 12 trips the forked member 8, releasing the ring which suspends the mail bag ready for the take-up. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the aeroplane may approach from either end of the platform as desired and the mail bag which is to be dropped can be released instantly and the bag to be forwarded picked up quick ly without stoppage of the aeroplane. The cable 30 will naturally move through the opening 4 rapidly, but will not become entangled with the member 15 and 16 as the lugs and ring 23" prevent this, and the arms 21 permit the member to slide freely downward until it strikes the washer 29. When the bag to be picked up has been released it will swing downwardly and the cords 22 and 24, including the ring and the members 15 and 16 will be drawn up with the bag to the aeroplane. An elevator can be used if desired to carry the mail to and from the platform.

Obviously, modifications and alterations are capable of being made in the present dis closure, without departing from the spirit and meaning of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. An air mail exchange apparatus comprising an elevated support, a platform disposed above the support, said platform formed with inwardly converging guideways leading to a longitudinal opening in the platform; means adjacent said guideways for suspending an outgoing mail bag; a cable adapted to be suspended from an aeroplane and carrying means for suspendin an incoming mail bag; means on said plat orm for automatically releasing said in-coming mall bag by contact with said cable; and a tripping mechanism on said platform for releasing said out-going mail bag in conjunction with said cable.

2. An air mail exchange apparatus comprising an elevated support, a platform disposed above the support, said platform including guideways; an opening in said plat form running from end to end thereof; means adjacent said guideways for suspending an outgoing mail bag; a cable adapted to be suspended from an aeroplane and carrying means for suspending an in-coming mail bag; and means on said platform for automatically releasing said incoming mail bag, said means comprising a member with cable-engaging parts held in open position on the platform across said opening and adapted to be re leased when said cable strikes same, said release causing said member to slide downwardly along said cable and releasing said mail bag carried on the cable.

3. An air mail exchange apparatus comprising an elevated support, a platform disposed above the support, said platform including a central longitudinal opening and having guideways at each end; means adjacent said guideways for suspending an outgoing mail bag; a cable adapted to be suspended from an aeroplane and carrying means for suspending an incoming mail bag;

means for automatically releasing said in element pivoted under spring tension and" adapted to be moved across said slotted end; said member with the cable-engaging parts .adapted to be slid downwardly along said cable when the latter strikes said member which carries cable-engaging parts and upon striking said spring to release said pivoted element, thereby releasing the incoming mail bag.

5. An air mail exchange apparatus as claimed in claim 2 said member with the cable-engaging parts comprising elements pivoted together and under spring tension, said elements When in set position being held apart by lugs on said platform and adapted to embrace loosely said cable When the latter comes in contact with the elements; the cableengaging parts being connected by a flexible element to said means for suspending the outgoing mail bag.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CORNELIOUS C. PURSLEY. 

